The Use of Powdered Activated Carbon Adsorption for Color Removal

In this investigation, two separate carbons are evaluated to determine whether they are capable of removing color from paper mill effluent, named Mill A. The two carbons are from Westvaco and from the Kalamazoo Water Reclamation Plant. The experiment consisted of adding 250 mg carbon of 250 ml of effluent and determining whether, after vacuum filtration, the color was removed using a spectrophotometer. The results proved positive and color was removed in all samples, and with both carbons. After the initial experimental procedure one of the carbons were chosen, Westvaco, and percentages of the 250 mg of carbon were taken. The carbon was added to the 250 ml of effluent and the experiment was run as usual. This data was essential for an isotherm study. After plotting the isotherm graph it was evident that at 100 mg carbon per 250 ml of effluent the carbon was able to remove the color. The 100 mg was used in the determination of the amount of carbon needed for two carbon systems based on a 2 million gallon per day effluent stream. The two types of carbon systems considered are a primary clarifier addition system and a carbon bed system. After analysis of the costs of equipment and carbon costs it became evident that the carbon bed system is the more economical system.